Europa League - Reece James scores as Chelsea beat Copenhagen 2-1

The first round of the 2024/25 UEFA European Association League round of 16 was a focus match. The "Blue Lions" Chelsea, who played away, defeated Copenhagen 2-1 after Reece James and Enzo scored.

Four minutes into the game, Copenhagen started to pass the ball from the frontcourt. Elias Ashouri received the pass from his teammate and shot low, but the shot was too straight and was caught by Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. In the 14th minute, Chelsea midfielder Palmer volleyed from the top of the penalty area, but the ball missed the post.

In the 18th minute, Gusto was knocked down by Copenhagen defender Gocholeishvili when he stopped the ball and was injured. He was then replaced by Cucurella because he could not hold on. In the 34th minute, Copenhagen attacked from the left. William Clem took a supplementary shot in the melee but kicked the ball high.

In the 41st minute, Victor Clausen took a through ball from his teammate and shot, but the ball hit the post. In the first half stoppage time, Chelsea tried to counterattack. Reece James took Cucurella's pass and then lobbed it into the penalty area. Tyreke George headed the ball in the face of defense, but the ball missed the post.

At the beginning of the second half, Cucurella sent a cross, and Reece James outside the penalty area seized the opportunity and shot from a distance, helping Chelsea to open the scoring 1-0. In the 50th minute, Copenhagen attacked with a diagonal pass, and Victor Clausen, who was unguarded, followed up with a low shot, but the ball hit the post.

In the 65th minute, Tyrick George received a cross from Nkunku in the penalty area and made a triangle pass. Enzo got the ball and pushed it into the goal, helping Chelsea to expand their lead to 2-0. In the 72nd minute, Chelsea replaced Palmer with Sancho.

In the 79th minute, Marcos Lopez sent a free kick into the penalty area, and Gabriel Pereira headed the ball into the goal, helping Copenhagen to equalize the score 1-2.

The score remained unchanged in the following period, and Chelsea eventually defeated Copenhagen 2-1 away.